Cyriac Joseph was killed when the vehicle he was driving crashed with two lorries, one driven by a driver from Cobridge, on the southbound carriageway of the motorway near Newport Pagnell in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The 52-year-old had been taking a group of Indian people from Nottingham to Wembley Stadium so they could join a tour group for Europe.

In total eight people were killed and four others, including a five-year-old girl, remain in hospital with serious injuries.

Emergency services and media at the scene of the accident on the M1 (Image: Thames Valley Police)

Speaking to the Press Association Manu Zachariah, 45, paid tribute to his friend.

He said: "He was a very close friend of mine, and we used to work together.

"It is very shocking and we don't want to believe that he is not alive. We don't want him to part us because he was part of every part of our lives.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: “Ryszard Masierak, aged 31, of Barnards Close, Evesham, Worcestershire, was charged with eight counts of causing death by dangerous driving, four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and eight counts of causing death by careless driving while over the prescribed limit.

“He was remanded in custody to appear at High Wycombe Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Monday August 28).”